Air conditioner

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to downsize a humidity adjustment unit as much as possible, thereby reducing the whole size of an air conditioner. 
     An air conditioner ( 1 ) includes a humidity adjustment unit ( 2 ) for adjusting air humidity, and a temperature adjustment unit ( 8 ) for adjusting air temperature. The humidity adjustment unit ( 2 ) includes a humidity adjustment casing ( 20 ), first and second adsorption heat exchangers ( 14, 15 ) for adjusting the humidity of the air in the humidity adjustment casing ( 20 ), and a humidity adjustment electrical component unit ( 19 ). The temperature adjustment unit ( 8 ) includes a temperature adjustment casing ( 80 ) aligned with the humidity adjustment casing ( 20 ), and a temperature adjustment heat exchanger ( 94 ) which is contained in the temperature adjustment casing ( 80 ), and adjusts the temperature of the air. The humidity adjustment electrical component unit ( 19 ) includes a radiator fin ( 19   a ) which dissipates generated heat, and is arranged in an air flow passage in the temperature adjustment casing ( 80 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to air conditioners including a humidityadjustment unit for adjusting air humidity, and a temperature adjustmentunit for adjusting air temperature.

BACKGROUND ART

Air conditioners for performing air humidity adjustment and airtemperature adjustment separately have been known.

For example, an air conditioner of Patent Document 1 includes atemperature adjustment unit for handling sensible heat of air byperforming a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, and a humidityadjustment unit for handling latent heat of air by means of an adsorbentcapable of adsorbing/desorbing moisture in the air.

PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. H09-318126

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The above-described humidity adjustment unit includes variouscomponents, such as passages in which outside air and room air flow,respectively, fans for sucking the outside air and the room air into thepassages, respectively, an adsorption unit for adsorbing the moisture inthe air, a heat source for recovery of the adsorption unit, etc., andincludes a casing for containing the components. Thus, the humidityadjustment unit includes a relatively large number of components.Therefore, the humidity adjustment unit tends to increase in size.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been achieved. Anobject of the invention is to downsize the humidity adjustment unit asmuch as possible, and to reduce the whole size of the air conditioner.

Solution to the Problem

According to the present invention, an electrical component unit of ahumidity adjustment unit is arranged in a casing of a temperatureadjustment unit.

Specifically, a first aspect of the invention is directed to an airconditioner including a humidity adjustment unit (2) for adjusting airhumidity, and a temperature adjustment unit (8) for adjusting airtemperature. The humidity adjustment unit (2) includes a humidityadjustment casing (20), a humidity adjustment section (11) for adjustinghumidity of air in the humidity adjustment casing (20), and a humidityadjustment electrical component unit (19), the temperature adjustmentunit (8) includes a temperature adjustment casing (80) aligned with thehumidity adjustment casing (20), and a temperature adjustment section(91) which is contained in the temperature adjustment casing (80) toadjust temperature of air, and the humidity adjustment electricalcomponent unit (19) includes a radiator (19 a) which dissipatesgenerated heat, and is arranged in an air flow passage in thetemperature adjustment casing (80).

In the above-described configuration, the humidity adjustment electricalcomponent unit (19) of the humidity adjustment unit (2) is arranged inthe temperature adjustment casing (80) of the temperature adjustmentunit (8). This can reduce the number of components arranged in thehumidity adjustment casing (20) of the humidity adjustment unit (2),thereby downsizing the humidity adjustment unit (2). In general, thetemperature adjustment unit (8) includes a smaller number of componentsthan the humidity adjustment unit (2). Therefore, even if the humidityadjustment electrical component unit (19) is arranged in the temperatureadjustment casing (80) of the temperature adjustment unit (8), the wholesize of the air conditioner can be reduced as compared with the casewhere the humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19) is arrangedin the humidity adjustment casing (20).

In addition, with the humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19)arranged in the air flow passage in the temperature adjustment casing(80), the humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19) can becooled by the air flowing in the temperature adjustment casing (80)through the radiator (19 a). This improves efficiency of heatdissipation of the humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19) ascompared with the case where the humidity adjustment electricalcomponent unit (19) is arranged in the humidity adjustment casing (20),thereby downsizing the radiator (19 a), and reducing the whole size ofthe humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19). This alleviatessize increase of the temperature adjustment unit, even when the humidityadjustment electrical component unit (19) is arranged in the temperatureadjustment casing (80).

In a second aspect of the invention related to the first aspect of theinvention, the temperature adjustment section (91) includes atemperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) for adjusting the temperatureof the air flowing in the air flow passage in the temperature adjustmentcasing (80), and the humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19)is arranged upstream of the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94).

If the humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19) is arrangeddownstream of the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94), the airheated by the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) cools thehumidity adjustment electrical component unit (19) when the temperatureadjustment unit (8) performs heating operation, thereby decreasing theefficiency. Thus, in the above-described configuration, the humidityadjustment electrical component unit (19) is arranged upstream of thetemperature adjustment heat exchanger (94). Therefore, the humidityadjustment electrical component unit (19) can be cooled by the air whichis not temperature-adjusted yet, thereby efficiently cooling thehumidity adjustment electrical component unit (19) even when thetemperature adjustment unit (8) performs the heating operation.

In a third aspect of the invention related to the second aspect of theinvention, the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) is obliquelyarranged in the air flow passage in the temperature adjustment casing(80).

In the above-described configuration, the temperature adjustment heatexchanger (94) is obliquely arranged relative to the air flow passage inthe temperature adjustment casing (80), thereby providing thetemperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) of a sufficient area even ifthe temperature adjustment casing (80) has been reduced in size.Specifically, the temperature adjustment casing (80), i.e., thetemperature adjustment unit (8), can be downsized, while providing thesufficient area for the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94).

In a fourth aspect of the invention related to the first aspect of theinvention, the humidity adjustment section (11) includes a refrigerantcircuit (11) performing a refrigeration cycle, and connecting anadsorption heat exchanger (14, 15) which carries an adsorbent foradsorbing and desorbing moisture on a surface thereof, and a temperatureadjustment compressor (12) which compresses a refrigerant, and thetemperature adjustment compressor (12) is arranged in the temperatureadjustment casing (80).

In the above-described configuration, the temperature adjustmentcompressor (12) is arranged in the temperature adjustment casing (80)together with the humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19).This can further downsize the humidity adjustment unit (2).

In a fifth aspect of the invention related to the first aspect of theinvention, the temperature adjustment section (91) includes arefrigerant circuit (91) performing a refrigeration cycle, andconnecting a temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) which adjuststhe temperature of the air flowing in the air flow passage in thetemperature adjustment casing (80), and a compressor (92) which isarranged in an outdoor unit, and compresses a refrigerant, the humidityadjustment section (11) includes an adsorption heat exchanger (14, 15)which carries an adsorbent for adsorbing and desorbing moisture on asurface thereof, and the adsorption heat exchanger (14, 15) is connectedto the refrigerant circuit (91).

In the above-described configuration, the temperature adjustment heatexchanger (94) of the temperature adjustment section (91) and theadsorption heat exchangers (14, 15) of the humidity adjustment section(11) are connected to the single refrigerant circuit (91), and therefrigerant is circulated by means of the shared compressor (92).Therefore, a compressor exclusive for the humidity adjustment is nolonger necessary, and space for installation of the temperatureadjustment compressor is not required any more. This can further reducethe humidity adjustment unit (2) and the temperature adjustment unit(8).

In a sixth aspect of the invention related to the first aspect of theinvention, the humidity adjustment unit (2) and the temperatureadjustment unit (8) are separately constructed, and are integrallyassembled in assembly of the air conditioner.

In the above-described configuration, the humidity adjustment unit (2)and the temperature adjustment unit (8) can independently be handledbefore they are assembled. Further, both of the units can easily behandled by reducing their sizes.

Advantages of the Invention

According to the present invention, the humidity adjustment electricalcomponent unit (19) of the humidity adjustment unit (2) is arranged inthe temperature adjustment casing (80) of the temperature adjustmentunit (8), thereby downsizing the humidity adjustment unit (2). In thiscase, the efficiency of heat dissipation of the humidity adjustmentelectrical component unit (19) is improved by arranging the humidityadjustment electrical component unit (19) in the air flow passage in thetemperature adjustment casing (80). This can downsize the radiator (19a) of the humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19), and canreduce the whole size of the humidity adjustment electrical componentunit (19), thereby alleviating size increase of the temperatureadjustment unit (8).

According to the second aspect of the invention, the humidity adjustmentelectrical component unit (19) is arranged in the temperature adjustmentcasing (80) upstream of the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94).Therefore, even when the temperature adjustment unit (8) performs theheating operation, the humidity adjustment electrical component unit(19) can efficiently be cooled.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the temperatureadjustment heat exchanger (94) is obliquely arranged in the air flowpassage in the temperature adjustment casing (80). This can downsize thetemperature adjustment casing (80), i.e., the temperature adjustmentunit (8), while providing a sufficient area for the temperatureadjustment heat exchanger (94).

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the temperatureadjustment compressor (12) is arranged in the temperature adjustmentcasing (80) together with the humidity adjustment electrical componentunit (19). This can further downsize the humidity adjustment unit (2).

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the adsorption heatexchanger (14, 15) of the humidity adjustment section (11) is connectedto the refrigerant circuit (91) connecting the temperature adjustmentheat exchanger (94) and the compressor (92), and performing arefrigeration cycle. As a result, the compressor (92) can be sharedbetween the humidity adjustment unit (2) and the temperature adjustmentunit (8), thereby further downsizing the humidity adjustment unit (2)and the temperature adjustment unit (8).

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the humidity adjustmentunit (2) and the temperature adjustment unit (8) are separatelyconstructed, and are integrally assembled in assembly of the airconditioner. Combined with the downsizing of the units, this allows foreasy handling of the units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a specific perspective view of an air conditioner of a firstembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the air conditioner, in which FIG. 2(A) isa plan view, FIG. 2(B) is a view observed in a direction of an arrow B-Bin FIG. 2(A), FIG. 2(C) is a view observed in a direction of an arrowC-C in FIG. 2(A), and FIG. 2(D) is a view observed in a direction of anarrow D-D in FIG. 2(A).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of a humidityadjustment unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an adsorptionheat exchanger.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant circuit of thehumidity adjustment unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a refrigerant circuit of atemperature adjustment unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating air flows in first operationof dehumidification/ventilation operation and humidification/ventilationoperation of the air conditioner.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating air flows in second operationof the dehumidification/ventilation operation and thehumidification/ventilation operation of the air conditioner.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating air flows in first operationof dehumidification/circulation operation and humidification/circulationof the air conditioner.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating air flows in second operationof the dehumidification/circulation operation and thehumidification/circulation operation of the air conditioner.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit schematically illustratingan air conditioner of a second embodiment, and cooling/dehumidificationoperation.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the refrigerant circuit schematicallyillustrating the air conditioner, and heating/humidification operation.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   1 Air conditioner-   2 Humidity adjustment unit-   11 Humidity adjustment refrigerant circuit (Humidity adjustment    section)-   12 Temperature adjustment compressor-   14 First adsorption heat exchanger (adsorption heat exchanger)-   15 Second adsorption heat exchanger (adsorption heat exchanger)-   19 Humidity adjustment electrical component unit-   19 a Radiator fin (radiator)-   20 Humidity adjustment casing-   8 Temperature adjustment unit-   80 Temperature adjustment casing-   91 Temperature adjustment refrigerant circuit (temperature    adjustment section)-   94 Temperature adjustment heat exchanger

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail withreference to the drawings.

First Embodiment of the Invention

An air conditioner (1) of a first embodiment of the invention suppliestemperature-adjusted air and humidity-adjusted air to the inside of aroom. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air conditioner (1) includes ahumidity adjustment unit (2) for adjusting air humidity, a temperatureadjustment unit (8) for adjusting air temperature, and an outdoor unitas a heat source unit (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the humidity adjustment unit (2) includes ahumidity adjustment casing (20) which is substantially in the shape of avertically oriented, rectangular parallelepiped, with an upper portionthereof partially protruded in the lateral direction. In the perspectiveview of FIG. 3 (and in the other perspective views), an upper portion ofthe humidity adjustment casing (20) and the other portion are dividedfor the sake of convenience. The humidity adjustment casing (20)includes a box-shaped casing body (21) with only a front side thereofopened, and a front panel (22) detachably attached to the opening frontside of the casing body (21).

The casing body (21) includes a top plate (23) on an upper end thereof,and a bottom plate (24) on a lower end thereof. The casing body (21)includes a right plate (25) on a right end thereof, and a left plate(26) on a left end thereof. The left plate (26) includes a lower plate(26 a) arranged in a lower position, an upper plate (26 b) positionedabove the lower plate (26 a) and on the left of the lower plate (26 a),and a center horizontal plate (26 c) connecting an upper end of thelower plate (26 a) and a lower end of the upper plate (26 b). Thus, theleft plate (26) protrudes leftward in an upper portion thereof. Further,the casing body (21) includes a rear plate (27) on a rear end thereof.

Three duct connection ports (31, 32, 33) are formed in the top plate(23). Specifically, the three duct connection ports (31, 32, 33) are anoutside air inlet port (31) arranged in a rear right portion of the topplate (23), a room air inlet port (32) arranged in a rear center portionof the top plate (23), and an outward discharge port (33) arranged in afront center portion of the top plate (23).

Ducts through which the air can flow are connected to the three ductconnection ports (31, 32, 33), respectively (see FIG. 1). The outsideair inlet port (31) and the outward discharge port (33) communicate withthe outside of the room through the ducts, and the room air inlet port(32) communicates with the inside of the room through the duct. Theoutside air inlet port (31) constitutes an opening for introducingoutside air (OA) in the humidity adjustment casing (20), and the roomair inlet port (32) constitutes an opening for introducing room air (RA)in the humidity adjustment casing (20). The outward discharge port (33)constitutes an opening for discharging the air in the humidityadjustment casing (20) outside the room as exhaust air (EA).

A humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) is formed in the upper plate(26 b) of the left plate (26). As described later in detail, thehumidity adjustment supply port (34 a) communicates with the temperatureadjustment unit (8). The humidity adjustment supply port (34 a)constitutes an opening for supplying the air in the humidity adjustmentcasing (20) as humidity-adjusted air to the temperature adjustment unit(8).

The front panel (22) is detachably attached to the casing body (21) tocover the opening front side of the casing body (21). The front panel(22) includes a control switch (not shown) for allowing a user, etc., toswitch the operation of the air conditioner (1).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the front panel (22) attached to thecasing body (21), a substantially rectangular parallelepiped room isformed in the humidity adjustment casing (20). An upper divider plate(40) is arranged in an upper portion of the room in the humidityadjustment casing (20). The upper divider plate (40) is in the shape ofa rectangular plate, and is horizontally supported by the humidityadjustment casing (20). A left end of the upper divider plate (40) iscoupled to a right end of the center horizontal plate (26 c).

The upper divider plate (40) divides the room inside the humidityadjustment casing (20) into an upper room and a lower room, asseparately shown in FIG. 3.

The upper room formed between the upper divider plate (40) and the topplate (23) is in the shape of a flat, rectangular parallelepiped. Theupper room contains a right-left divider plate (41). The right-leftdivider plate (41) is substantially rectangular-shaped, and is supportedby the humidity adjustment casing (20) in such a manner that surfacesthereof extend in the vertical direction (lines normal to the surfacesare extending in the horizontal direction), and long sides thereofextend in the front-back direction. The right-left divider plate (41) isarranged at the same position as a left divider plate (45) describedlater in the lateral direction. The right-left divider plate (41)divides the upper room into two laterally aligned rooms of an upperright room on the right of the divider plate, and an upper left room onthe left of the divider plate.

A vertically extending first passage providing plate (42), which issubstantially L-shaped when viewed in section, is arranged at a rearright corner of the upper right room. The first passage providing plate(42) is coupled to the right plate (25) and the rear plate (27). Anupper end of the first passage providing plate (42) is coupled to thetop plate (23), and a lower end is coupled to the upper divider plate(40). In this way, the first passage providing plate (42) provides anoutside air inlet passage (51) which is square-shaped when viewed insection at the rear right corner of the upper right room in cooperationwith the right plate (25) and the rear plate (27). Further, the firstpassage providing plate (42) provides, in the other portion of the upperright room, an outward discharge passage (53) which is L-shaped whenviewed in section in cooperation with the right plate (25), the rearplate (27), the right-left divider plate (41), and the front panel (22).

The outside air inlet port (31) is formed in the top plate (23) to facethe outside air inlet passage (51), and a first communication port (61)is formed in the upper divider plate (40) to face the outside air inletpassage (51). The outward discharge port (33) is formed in the top plate(23) to face the outward discharge passage (53), and a thirdcommunication port (63) is formed in the upper divider plate (40) toface the outward discharge passage (53). The outward discharge port (33)is formed in the top plate (23) on the left of the outside air inletport (31), and is in the shape of a rectangle extending in thefront-back direction. The third communication port (63) is formed in theupper divider plate (40) forward of the first communication port (61).

A vertically extending second passage providing plate (43), which issubstantially L-shaped when viewed in section, is arranged at a rearright corner of the upper left room. The second passage providing plate(43) is coupled to the right-left divider plate (41) and the rear plate(27). An upper end of the second passage providing plate (43) is coupledto the top plate (23), and a lower end is coupled to the upper dividerplate (40). In this way, the second passage providing plate (43)provides a room air inlet passage (52) which is square-shaped whenviewed in section at the right rear corner of the upper left room incooperation with the right-left divider plate (41) and the rear plate(27). The second passage providing plate (43) provides, in the otherportion of the upper left room, an inward supply passage (54) which isL-shaped when viewed in section in cooperation with the right-leftdivider plate (41), the rear plate (27), the left plate (26) (i.e., theupper plate (26 b) and the center horizontal plate (26 c)), and thefront panel (22).

The room air inlet port (32) is formed in the top plate (23) to face theroom air inlet passage (52), and a second communication port (62) isformed in the upper divider plate (40) to face the room air inletpassage (52). The humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) is formed inthe upper plate (26 b) of the left plate (26) to face the inward supplypassage (54), and a fourth communication port (64) is formed in theupper divider plate (40) to face the inward supply passage (54). Thefourth communication port (64) is formed in the upper divider plate (40)forward of the second communication port (62).

In this way, the outside air inlet port (31) communicates with the firstcommunication port (61) through the outside air inlet passage (51), andthe room air inlet port (32) communicates with the second communicationport (62) through the room air inlet passage (52). The outward dischargeport (33) communicates with the third communication port (63) throughthe outward discharge passage (53), and the humidity adjustment supplyport (34 a) communicates with the fourth communication port (64) throughthe inward supply passage (54).

The outside air inlet passage (51) contains an outside air filter (36),and the room air inlet passage (52) contains a room air filter (37).Each of the filters (36, 37) is in the shape of a plate or a sheet, andis kept in a horizontal position to cover every part of a lateral crosssection of the corresponding inlet passage (51, 52). The filters (36,37) are arranged to be able to move back and forth in the correspondinginlet passages (51, 52), and are detachable from the corresponding inletpassages (51, 52).

The outward discharge passage (53) contains a discharge fan (29), andthe inward supply passage (54) contains a supply fan (30) (see FIG. 2).The fans (29, 30) are centrifugal multi-blade fans (so-called siroccofans). In the perspective view of FIG. 16 (and in the other perspectiveviews), the fans (29, 30) are not shown. The discharge fan (29) blowsthe air introduced through the outward discharge passage (53) toward theoutward discharge port (33). The supply fan (30) blows the airintroduced through the inward supply passage (54) toward the humidityadjustment supply port (34 a).

The lower room formed between the upper divider plate (40) and thebottom plate (24) is substantially in the shape of a rectangularparallelepiped. The room contains a right divider plate (44) and a leftdivider plate (45). The right divider plate (44) and the left dividerplate (45) vertically extend from the bottom plate (24) to the upperdivider plate (40), and are supported by the humidity adjustment casing(20) to be parallel to the right and left plates (25, 26) of thehumidity adjustment casing (20). The right divider plate (44) and theleft divider plate (45) divide the lower room between the bottom plate(24) and the upper divider plate (40) into three rooms.

A right room in the three rooms is divided by a first front-back dividerplate (46) into two rooms aligned in the front-back direction. A leftroom in the three rooms is divided by a second front-back divider plate(47) into two rooms aligned in the front-back direction. The room behindthe first front-back divider plate (46) constitutes a first intermediatepassage (55), and the room behind the second front-back divider plate(47) constitutes a second intermediate passage (56). The room in frontof the first front-back divider plate (46) constitutes a thirdintermediate passage (57), and the room in front of the secondfront-back divider plate (47) constitutes a fourth intermediate passage(58).

An upper end of the first intermediate passage (55) communicates withthe first communication port (61), and an upper end of the secondintermediate passage (56) communicates with the second communicationport (62), an upper end of the third intermediate passage (57)communicates with the third communication port (63), and an upper end ofthe fourth intermediate passage (58) communicates with the fourthcommunication port (64). Lower ends of the intermediate passages (55,56, 57, 58) are closed by the bottom plate (24).

A center room in the three rooms is divided by the right and leftdivider plates (44, 45) into two rooms aligned in the vertical directionby an upper-lower divider plate (48). An upper room of the two roomsconstitutes a first humidity adjustment chamber (65), and a lower roomconstitutes a second humidity adjustment chamber (66). Specifically, thefirst humidity adjustment chamber (65) and the second humidityadjustment chamber (66) are aligned in the vertical direction to beadjacent to each other with the upper-lower divider plate (48)interposed therebetween.

The first humidity adjustment chamber (65) contains a first adsorptionheat exchanger (14), and the second humidity adjustment chamber (66)contains a second adsorption heat exchanger (15). The first adsorptionheat exchanger (14) and the second adsorption heat exchanger (15) areconnected in series to a humidity adjustment refrigerant circuit (11)described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 4, the adsorption heat exchangers (14, 15) arecross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchangers, respectively. Each of theadsorption heat exchangers (14, 15) includes copper heat transfer tubes(16), and aluminum fins (17). Each of the fins (17) of the adsorptionheat exchangers (14, 15) is in the shape of a rectangular plate, andthey are arranged at regular intervals. The heat transfer tubes (16)extend in the direction of alignment of the fins (17) in serpentineform. That is, the heat transfer tube (16) includes straight partspenetrating the fins (17), and U-shaped parts connecting the adjacentstraight parts, and they are alternately connected.

In each of the adsorption heat exchangers (14, 15), an adsorbent iscarried on the surfaces of the fins (17), and the air passing throughthe fins (17) comes into contact with the adsorbent carried on the fins(17). The adsorbent may be a material capable of adsorbing vapor in theair, such as zeolite, silica gel, activated carbon, an organic polymermaterial having a hydrophilic functional group, etc.

Each of the adsorption heat exchangers (14, 15) is vertically arrangedin the corresponding humidity adjustment chamber (65, 66). Specifically,each of the adsorption heat exchangers (14, 15) is supported in thecorresponding humidity adjustment chamber (65, 66) in such a manner thatthe fins (17) are parallel to the right divider plate (44) and the leftdivider plate (45), and the longitudinal direction of the fins (17)corresponds to the vertical direction.

Each of the adsorption heat exchangers (14, 15) may be arrangedobliquely in the corresponding humidity adjustment chamber (65, 66).Specifically, each of the adsorption heat exchangers (14, 15) aresupported in the corresponding humidity adjustment chamber (65, 66) insuch a manner that the fins (17) are parallel to the right divider plate(44) and the left divider plate (45), and upper ends of the fins (17)are inclined forward or rearward relative to the perpendiculardirection. Thus, the length of the fins (17) of the adsorption heatexchangers (14, 15) can be increased in the longitudinal direction,thereby increasing an area of the adsorption heat exchangers (14, 15)passed by the air. This increases efficiency in contact between theadsorbent and the air.

Each of the right divider plate (44) and the left divider plate (45) isprovided with four flow ports through which the air enters or exits.Specifically, a first flow port (71) is formed in an upper rear portionof the right divider plate (44), and a second flow port (72) is formedin an upper front portion of the right divider plate (44). A fifth flowport (75) is formed in a lower rear portion of the right divider plate(44), and a sixth flow port (76) is formed in a lower front portion ofthe right divider plate (44). A third flow port (73) is formed in anupper rear portion of the left divider plate (45), and a fourth flowport (74) is formed in an upper front portion of the left divider plate(45). A seventh flow port (77) is formed in a lower rear portion of theleft divider plate (45), and an eighth flow port (78) is formed in alower front portion of the second divider plate (45).

The first flow port (71) allows the first intermediate passage (55) andthe first humidity adjustment chamber (65) to communicate with eachother. The second flow port (72) allows the third intermediate passage(57) and the first humidity adjustment chamber (65) to communicate witheach other. The third flow port (73) allows the second intermediatepassage (56) and the first humidity adjustment chamber (65) tocommunicate with each other. The fourth flow port (74) allows the fourthintermediate passage (58) and the first humidity adjustment chamber (65)to communicate with each other. The fifth flow port (75) allows thefirst intermediate passage (55) and the second humidity adjustmentchamber (66) to communicate with each other. The sixth flow port (76)allows the third intermediate passage (57) and the second humidityadjustment chamber (66) to communicate with each other. The seventh flowport (77) allows the second intermediate passage (56) and the secondhumidity adjustment chamber (66) to communicate with each other. Theeighth flow port (78) allows the fourth intermediate passage (58) andthe second humidity adjustment chamber (66) to communicate with eachother.

Each of the right divider plate (44) and the left divider plate (45)includes four dampers for opening/closing the corresponding flow ports.Specifically, the right divider plate (44) and the left divider plate(45) constitute damper carrying divider plates including a plurality ofdampers, respectively. Specifically, the right divider plate (44)includes a first damper (D1) for opening/closing the first flow port(71), a second damper (D2) for opening/closing the second flow port(72), a third damper (D3) for opening/closing the third flow port (73),and a fourth damper (D4) for opening/closing the fourth flow port (74).The left divider plate (45) includes a fifth damper (D5) foropening/closing the fifth flow port (75), a sixth damper (D6) foropening/closing the sixth flow port (76), a seventh damper (D7) foropening/closing the seventh flow port (77), and an eighth damper (D8)for opening/closing the eighth flow port (78).

Each of the dampers (D1-D8) includes, for example, two shutters, and amotor for supporting the shutters by a horizontal axis thereof, androtating the shutters about the horizontal axis. Specifically, each ofthe dampers (D1-D8) closes the corresponding flow port (71-78) when thetwo shutters are shifted to the perpendicular position by the rotationof the motor, and opens the corresponding flow port (71-78) when the twoshutters are shifted to the horizontal position by the rotation of themotor.

<Structure of Refrigerant Circuit>

A humidity adjustment refrigerant circuit (11) mounted in the humidityadjustment unit (2) will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

The humidity adjustment refrigerant circuit (11) is a closed circuitincluding the first adsorption heat exchanger (14), the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15), a temperature adjustment compressor(12), a four-way switching valve (13), and a motor-operated expansionvalve (18). The humidity adjustment refrigerant circuit (11) performs avapor compression refrigeration cycle by circulating a refrigerantfilled therein. The humidity adjustment refrigerant circuit (11)including the first and second adsorption heat exchangers (14, 15)constitutes a humidity adjustment section. The temperature adjustmentcompressor (12) is constituted of, for example, a scroll type or arotary type compressor, etc.

In the humidity adjustment refrigerant circuit (11), a discharge side ofthe temperature adjustment compressor (12) is connected to a first portof the four-way switching valve (13), and a suction side of thetemperature adjustment compressor (12) is connected to a second port ofthe four-way switching valve (13). An end of the first adsorption heatexchanger (14) is connected to a third port of the four-way switchingvalve (13). The other end of the first adsorption heat exchanger (14) isconnected to an end of the second adsorption heat exchanger (15) throughthe motor-operated expansion valve (18). The other end of the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15) is connected to a fourth port of thefour-way switching valve (13).

The four-way switching valve (13) is configured to be able to switchbetween a first state where the first and fourth ports communicate witheach other, and the second and third ports communicate with each other(a state shown in FIG. 5(A)), and a second state where the first andthird ports communicate with each other, and the second and fourth portscommunicate with each other (a state shown in FIG. 5(B)).

In the humidity adjustment refrigerant circuit (11), a high pressuregaseous refrigerant is supplied as a heating medium to one of the twoadsorption heat exchangers (14, 15) serving as a condenser (a radiator),and a low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is supplied as acooling medium to the other adsorption heat exchanger (14, 15) servingas an evaporator.

The temperature adjustment compressor (12) and the four-way switchingvalve (13) are arranged in a temperature adjustment casing (80) of atemperature adjustment unit (8) described later.

A humidity adjustment electrical component unit (hereinafter merelyreferred to as an “electrical component unit”) (19) containingelectrical components for operating the temperature adjustmentcompressor (12), the dampers (D1-D8), and the fans (29, 30) is alsoarranged in the temperature adjustment casing (80) of the temperatureadjustment unit (8).

The temperature adjustment unit (8) will be described below.

The temperature adjustment unit (8) includes a temperature adjustmentcasing (80) substantially in the shape of a vertically orientedrectangular parallelepiped. The temperature adjustment casing (80)includes a box-shaped casing body (81) with only a front side thereofopened, and a front panel (82) detachably attached to the opening frontside of the casing body (81).

The casing body (81) includes a top plate (83) on an upper end thereof,and a bottom plate (84) on a lower end thereof. The casing body (81)includes a right plate (85) on a right end thereof, and a left plate(86) on a left end thereof. Further, the casing body (81) includes arear plate (87) on a rear end thereof.

The right plate (85) includes a lower plate (85 a) arranged in a lowerposition, an upper plate (85 b) positioned above the lower plate (85 a)and on the left of the lower plate (85 a), and a center horizontal plate(85 c) connecting an upper end of the lower plate (85 a) and a lower endof the upper plate (85 b). Thus, the right plate (85) protrudes leftwardin an upper portion thereof. The right plate (85) is in the same shapeas the left plate (26) of the humidity adjustment casing (20).Specifically, the temperature adjustment unit (8) and the humidityadjustment unit (2) are configured to be adjacent to each other with theright plate (85) and the left plate (26) in contact with each other.

A temperature adjustment room air inlet port (88) is formed in the topplate (83). A duct which communicates with the inside of the room, andthrough which the air can flow, is connected to the temperatureadjustment room air inlet port (88) (see FIG. 1). A temperatureadjustment supply port (34 b) communicating with the humidity adjustmentsupply port (34 a) formed in the left plate (26) of the humidityadjustment casing (20) is formed in the upper plate (85 b) of the rightplate (85). Further, an inward supply port (89) is formed in a lowerportion of the left plate (86). A duct which communicates with theinside of the room, and through which the air can flow, is connected tothe inward supply port (89) (see FIG. 1). The inward supply port (89)constitutes an opening for supplying the air in the temperatureadjustment casing (80) to the inside of the room as dehumidified,temperature-adjusted air (SA).

A supply fan (90) is arranged in the temperature adjustment casing (80)near the inward supply port (89) (see FIG. 2). The supply fan (90) is acentrifugal multi-blade fan (a so-called sirocco fan). The supply fan(90) blows the air introduced through the temperature adjustment roomair inlet port (88) and the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a)toward the inward supply port (89). Specifically, the air enters thetemperature adjustment casing (80) through the temperature adjustmentroom air inlet port (88) and the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a),and the entered air flows downward in the temperature adjustment casing(80), and is supplied to the inside of the room through the inwardsupply port (89).

The temperature adjustment casing (80) configured as described abovecontains a temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94).

The temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) is a cross-fin typefin-and-tube heat exchanger, like the adsorption heat exchangers (14,15). The temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) does not carry theadsorbent on the surfaces of the fins, unlike the adsorption heatexchangers (14, 15).

The temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) is obliquely arranged inthe temperature adjustment casing (80). Specifically, the temperatureadjustment heat exchanger (94) is arranged in such a manner that anupper end thereof is close to an upper portion of the left plate (86) ofthe temperature adjustment casing (80), and a lower end thereof is closeto the lower plate (85 a) of the right plate (85). Specifically, thetemperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) is arranged obliquelyrelative to the direction of air flow in the temperature adjustmentcasing (80).

As shown in FIG. 6, the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) isconnected to a temperature adjustment refrigerant circuit (91).

The temperature adjustment refrigerant circuit (91) is a closed circuitincluding the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94), an outdoorheat exchanger (95) which is a heat source heat exchanger, a temperatureadjustment compressor (92), a four-way switching valve (93), and amotor-operated expansion valve (98). The temperature adjustmentrefrigerant circuit (91) performs a vapor compression refrigerationcycle by circulating a refrigerant filled therein. The temperatureadjustment refrigerant circuit (91) including the temperature adjustmentheat exchanger (94) constitutes a temperature adjustment section.

In the temperature adjustment refrigerant circuit (91), a discharge sideof the temperature adjustment compressor (92) is connected to a firstport of the four-way switching valve (93), and a suction side of thetemperature adjustment compressor (92) is connected to a second port ofthe four-way switching valve (93). An end of the temperature adjustmentheat exchanger (94) of the temperature adjustment refrigerant circuit(91) is connected to a third port of the four-way switching valve (93),and the other end of the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) isconnected to an end of the outdoor heat exchanger (95) through themotor-operated expansion valve (98). The other end of the outdoor heatexchanger (95) is connected to a fourth port of the four-way switchingvalve (93).

The four-way switching valve (93) is configured to be able to switchbetween a first state where the first and fourth ports communicate witheach other, and the second and third ports communicate with each other(a state shown in FIG. 6(A)), and a second state where the first andthird ports communicate with each other, and the second and fourth portscommunicate with each other (a state shown in FIG. 6(B)).

In the temperature adjustment refrigerant circuit (91), by switching thefour-way switching valve (93), a low pressure gas-liquid two-phaserefrigerant is supplied to the temperature adjustment heat exchanger(94) to operate the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) as anevaporator, thereby performing cooling operation, and a high pressuregaseous refrigerant is supplied to the temperature adjustment heatexchanger (94) to operate the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94)as a condenser, thereby performing heating operation. In this way,temperature of the air passing around the temperature adjustment heatexchanger (94) is adjusted.

The four-way switching valve (93), the temperature adjustment compressor(92), and the outdoor heat exchanger (95) of the temperature adjustmentrefrigerant circuit (91) are contained in an outdoor unit (not shown).

-Operation Mechanism-

The air conditioner (1) described above selectively performs“dehumidification/ventilation operation,” “humidification/ventilationoperation,” “dehumidification/circulation operation,” and“humidification/circulation operation.” In the“dehumidification/ventilation operation” and the“humidification/ventilation operation,” admitted outside air (OA) ishumidity-adjusted, and is supplied to the inside of the room as supplyair (SA), and simultaneously, admitted room air (RA) is dischargedoutside the room as exhaust air (EA). In the“dehumidification/circulation operation” and the“humidification/circulation operation,” the admitted room air(RA) ishumidity-adjusted, and is supplied to the inside of the room as thesupply air (SA), and simultaneously, admitted outside air (OA) isdischarged outside the room as exhaust air (EA).

In addition to the above-described operations, the air conditioner (1)selectively performs “cooling operation” and “heating operation.”

The dehumidification and humidification operations of the humidityadjustment unit (2) will be described first, and then the cooling andheating operations of the temperature adjustment unit (8) will bedescribed.

<Dehumidification/Ventilation Operation>

In the air conditioner (1) performing the dehumidification/ventilationoperation, first operation and second operation described later arealternately performed at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every threeminutes).

When the supply fan (30) of the air conditioner (1) is operated duringthe dehumidification/ventilation operation, the outside air enters thehumidity adjustment casing (20) through the outside air inlet port (31)as first air. When the discharge fan (29) is operated, the room airenters the humidity adjustment casing (20) through the room air inletport (32) as second air.

The first operation of the dehumidification/ventilation operation willbe described below. As shown in FIG. 7, in the first operation, thefirst flow port (71), the fourth flow port (74), the sixth flow port(76), and the seventh flow port (77) are opened, and the second flowport (72), the third flow port (73), the fifth flow port (75), and theeighth flow port (78) are closed by switching the first to eighthdampers (D1-D8).

In the first operation, the four-way switching valve (13) in therefrigerant circuit (11) is set to the first state as shown in FIG.5(A). In this state, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (11)circulates to perform a refrigeration cycle. In this case, in therefrigerant circuit (11), the refrigerant discharged from thetemperature adjustment compressor (12) sequentially passes through thesecond adsorption heat exchanger (15), the motor-operated expansionvalve (18), and the first adsorption heat exchanger (14). The secondadsorption heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser, and the firstadsorption heat exchanger (14) functions as an evaporator.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first air that entered the outside air inletpassage (51) through the outside air inlet port (31) passes through theoutside air filter (36). The outside air filter (36) traps dustcontained in the first air. The first air that passed through theoutside air filter (36) sequentially flows through the firstcommunication port (61) and the first intermediate passage (55), andenters the first humidity adjustment chamber (65) through the first flowport (71). The first air flows forward, and passes through the firstadsorption heat exchanger (14). In the first adsorption heat exchanger(14), moisture in the first air is adsorbed by the adsorbent, and heatgenerated by the adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. The firstair dehumidified by the first adsorption heat exchanger (14) enters thefourth intermediate passage (58) through the fourth flow port (74). Thefirst air sequentially flows through the fourth communication port (64)and the inward supply passage (54), and enters the temperatureadjustment unit (8) through the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a)and the temperature adjustment supply port (34 b).

The second air that entered the room air inlet passage (52) through theroom air inlet port (32) passes through the room air filter (37). Theroom air filter (37) traps dust contained in the second air. The secondair that passed through the room air filter (37) sequentially flowsthrough the second communication port (62) and the second intermediatepassage (56), and enters the second humidity adjustment chamber (66)through the seventh flow port (77). The second air flows forward, andpasses through the second adsorption heat exchanger (15). In the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15), moisture is desorbed from the adsorbentheated by the refrigerant, and the desorbed moisture is given to thesecond air. The second air used for the recovery of the adsorbent of thesecond adsorption heat exchanger (15) flows into the third intermediatepassage (57) through the sixth flow port (76). The second airsequentially flows through the third communication port (63) and theoutward discharge passage (53), enters the duct through the outwarddischarge port (33), and is discharged outside the room.

The second operation of the dehumidification/ventilation operation willbe described below. As shown in FIG. 8, in the second operation, thesecond flow port (72), the third flow port (73), the fifth flow port(75), and the eighth flow port (78) are opened, and the first flow port(71), the fourth flow port (74), the sixth flow port (76), and theseventh flow port (77) are closed by switching the first to eighthdampers (D1-D8).

In the second operation, the four-way switching valve (13) of therefrigerant circuit (11) is set to the second state as shown in FIG.5(B). In this state, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (11)circulates to perform a refrigeration cycle. In this case, in therefrigerant circuit (11), the refrigerant discharged from thetemperature adjustment compressor (12) sequentially passes through thefirst adsorption heat exchanger (14), the motor-operated expansion valve(18), and the second adsorption heat exchanger (15). The firstadsorption heat exchanger (14) functions as the condenser, and thesecond adsorption heat exchanger (15) functions as the evaporator.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first air that entered the outside air inletpassage (51) through the outside air inlet port (31) passes through theoutside air filter (36). The outside air filter (36) traps dustcontained in the first air. The first air that passed through theoutside air filter (36) sequentially flows through the firstcommunication port (61) and the first intermediate passage (55), andenters the second humidity adjustment chamber (66) through the fifthflow port (75). The first air flows forward, and passes through thesecond adsorption heat exchanger (15). In the second adsorption heatexchanger (15), moisture in the first air is adsorbed by the adsorbent,and heat generated by the adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. Thefirst air dehumidified by the second adsorption heat exchanger (15)flows into the fourth intermediate passage (58) through the eighth flowport (78). The first air sequentially flows through the fourthcommunication port (64) and the inward supply passage (54), and entersthe temperature adjustment unit (8) through the humidity adjustmentsupply port (34 a) and the temperature adjustment supply port (34 b).

The second air that entered the room air inlet passage (52) through theroom air inlet port (32) passes through the room air filter (37). Theroom air filter (37) traps dust contained in the second air. The secondair that passed through the room air filter (37) sequentially flowsthrough the second communication port (62) and the second intermediatepassage (56), and enters the first humidity adjustment chamber (65)through the third flow port (73). The second air flows forward, andpasses through the first adsorption heat exchanger (14). In the firstadsorption heat exchanger (14), moisture is desorbed from the adsorbentheated by the refrigerant, and the desorbed moisture is given to thesecond air. The second air used for the recovery of the adsorbent of thefirst adsorption heat exchanger (14) flows into the third intermediatepassage (57) through the second flow port (72). The second airsequentially flows through the third communication port (63) and theoutward discharge passage (53), enters the duct through the outwarddischarge port (33), and is discharged outside the room.

<Humidification/Ventilation Operation>

In the air conditioner (1) performing the humidification/ventilationoperation, first operation and second operation described later arealternately performed at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every threeminutes).

When the supply fan (30) of the air conditioner (1) is operated duringthe humidification/ventilation operation, the outside air enters thehumidity adjustment casing (20) through the outside air inlet port (31)as first air. When the discharge fan (29) is operated, the room airenters the humidity adjustment casing (20) through the room air inletport (32) as second air.

In the first operation of the humidification/ventilation operation, asshown in FIG. 7, the first flow port (71), the fourth flow port (74),the sixth flow port (76), and the seventh flow port (77) are opened, andthe second flow port (72), the third flow port (73), the fifth flow port(75), and the eighth flow port (78) are closed. The refrigerant circuit(11) enters the state shown in FIG. 5(B), in which the first adsorptionheat exchanger (14) functions as a condenser, and the second adsorptionheat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first air that entered the outside air inletpassage (51) through the outside air inlet port (31) sequentially flowsthrough the outside air filter (36), the first communication port (61),the first intermediate passage (55), and the first flow port (71) toenter the first humidity adjustment chamber (65), and passes through thefirst adsorption heat exchanger (14). In the first adsorption heatexchanger (14), moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent heated by therefrigerant, and the desorbed moisture is given to the first air. Thefirst air humidified by the first adsorption heat exchanger (14)sequentially flows through the fourth flow port (74), the fourthintermediate passage (58), the fourth communication port (64), and theinward supply passage (54), and enters the temperature adjustment unit(8) through the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) and thetemperature adjustment supply port (34 b).

The second air that entered the room air inlet passage (52) through theroom air inlet port (32) sequentially flows through the room air filter(37), the second communication port (62), the second intermediatepassage (56), and the seventh flow port (77) to enter the secondhumidity adjustment chamber (66), and passes through the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15). In the second adsorption heat exchanger(15), moisture in the second air is adsorbed by the adsorbent, and heatgenerated by the adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. The secondair that gave the moisture to the adsorbent of the second adsorptionheat exchanger (15) sequentially flows through the sixth flow port (76),the third intermediate passage (57), the third communication port (63),and the outward discharge passage (53), enters the duct through theoutward discharge port (33), and is discharged outside the room.

In the second operation of the humidification/ventilation operation, asshown in FIG. 8, the second flow port (72), the third flow port (73),the fifth flow port (75), and the eighth flow port (78) are opened, andthe first flow port (71), the fourth flow port (74), the sixth flow port(76), and the seventh flow port (77) are closed. The refrigerant circuit(11) enters the state shown in FIG. 5(A), in which the second adsorptionheat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser, and the first adsorptionheat exchanger (14) functions as an evaporator.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first air that entered the outside air inletpassage (51) through the outside air inlet port (31) sequentially flowsthrough the outside air filter (36), the first communication port (61),the first intermediate passage (55), and the fifth flow port (75) toenter the second humidity adjustment chamber (66), and passes throughthe second adsorption heat exchanger (15). In the second adsorption heatexchanger (15), moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent heated by therefrigerant, and the desorbed moisture is given to the first air. Thefirst air humidified by the second adsorption heat exchanger (15)sequentially flows through the eighth flow port (78), the fourthintermediate passage (58), the fourth communication port (64), and theinward supply passage (54), and enters the temperature adjustment unit(8) through the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) and thetemperature adjustment supply port (34 b).

The second air that entered the room air inlet passage (52) through theroom air inlet port (32) sequentially flows through the room air filter(37), the second communication port (62), the second intermediatepassage (56), and the third flow port (73) to enter the first humidityadjustment chamber (65), and passes through the first adsorption heatexchanger (14). In the first adsorption heat exchanger (14), moisture inthe second air is adsorbed by the adsorbent, and heat generated by theadsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. The second air that gave themoisture to the adsorbent of the first adsorption heat exchanger (14)sequentially flows through the second flow port (72), the thirdintermediate passage (57), the third communication port (63), and theoutward discharge passage (53), enters the duct through the outwarddischarge port (33), and is discharged outside the room.

<Dehumidification/Circulation Operation>

In the air conditioner (1) performing the dehumidification/circulationoperation, first operation and second operation described later arealternately performed at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every threeminutes).

When the supply fan (30) of the air conditioner (1) is operated duringthe dehumidification/circulation operation, the room air enters thehumidity adjustment casing (20) through the room air inlet port (32) asfirst air. When the discharge fan (29) is operated, the outside airenters the humidity adjustment casing (20) through the outside air inletport (31) as second air.

In the first operation of the dehumidification/circulation operation, asshown in FIG. 9, the third flow port (73), the fourth flow port (74),the fifth flow port (75), and the sixth flow port (76) are opened, andthe first flow port (71), the second flow port (72), the seventh flowport (77), and the eighth flow port (78) are closed. The refrigerantcircuit (11) enters the state shown in FIG. 5(A), in which the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser, and the firstadsorption heat exchanger (14) functions as an evaporator.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first air that entered the room air inletpassage (52) through the room air inlet port (32) sequentially flowsthrough the room air filter (37), the second communication port (62),the second intermediate passage (56), and the third flow port (73) toenter the first humidity adjustment chamber (65), and passes through thefirst adsorption heat exchanger (14). In the first adsorption heatexchanger (14), moisture in the first air is adsorbed by the adsorbent,and heat generated by the adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. Thefirst air dehumidified by the first adsorption heat exchanger (14)sequentially flows through the fourth flow port (74), the fourthintermediate passage (58), the fourth communication port (64), and theinward supply passage (54), and enters the temperature adjustment unit(8) through the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) and thetemperature adjustment supply port (34 b).

The second air that entered the outside air inlet passage (51) throughthe outside air inlet port (31) sequentially flows through the outsideair filter (36), the first communication port (61), the firstintermediate passage (55), and the fifth flow port (75) to enter thesecond humidity adjustment chamber (66), and passes through the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15). In the second adsorption heat exchanger(15), moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent heated by the refrigerant,and the desorbed moisture is given to the second air. The second airused for the recovery of the adsorbent of the second adsorption heatexchanger (15) sequentially flows through the sixth flow port (76), thethird intermediate passage (57), the third communication port (63), andthe outward discharge passage (53), enters the duct through the outwarddischarge port (33), and is discharged outside the room.

In the second operation of the dehumidification/circulation operation,as shown in FIG. 10, the first flow port (71), the second flow port(72), the seventh flow port (77), and the eighth flow port (78) areopened, and the third flow port (73), the fourth flow port (74), thefifth flow port (75), and the sixth flow port (76) are closed. Therefrigerant circuit (11) enters the state shown in FIG. 5(B), in whichthe first adsorption heat exchanger (14) functions as a condenser, andthe second adsorption heat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first air that entered the room air inletpassage (52) through the room air inlet port (32) sequentially flowsthrough the room air filter (37), the second communication port (62),the second intermediate passage (56), and the seventh flow port (77) toenter the second humidity adjustment chamber (66), and passes throughthe second adsorption heat exchanger (15). In the second adsorption heatexchanger (15), moisture in the first air is adsorbed by the adsorbent,and heat generated by the adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. Thefirst air dehumidified by the second adsorption heat exchanger (15)sequentially flows through the eighth flow port (78), the fourthintermediate passage (58), the fourth communication port (64), and theinward supply passage (54), and enters the temperature adjustment unit(8) through the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) and thetemperature adjustment supply port (34 b).

The second air that entered the outside air inlet passage (51) throughthe outside air inlet port (31) sequentially flows through the outsideair filter (36), the first communication port (61), the firstintermediate passage (55), and the first flow port (71) to enter thefirst humidity adjustment chamber (65), and passes through the firstadsorption heat exchanger (14). In the first adsorption heat exchanger(14), moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent heated by the refrigerant,and the desorbed moisture is given to the second air. The second airused for the recovery of the first adsorption heat exchanger (14)sequentially flows through the second flow port (72), the thirdintermediate passage (57), the third communication port (63), and theoutward discharge passage (53), enters the duct through the outwarddischarge port (33), and is discharged outside the room.

<Humidification/Circulation Operation>

In the air conditioner (1) performing the humidification/circulationoperation, first operation and second operation described later arealternately performed at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every threeminutes).

When the supply fan (30) of the air conditioner (1) is operated duringthe humidification/circulation operation, the room air enters thehumidity adjustment casing (20) through the room air inlet port (32) asfirst air. When the discharge fan (29) is operated, the outside airenters the humidity adjustment casing (20) through the outside air inletport (31) as second air.

In the first operation of the humidification/circulation operation, asshown in FIG. 9, the third flow port (73), the fourth flow port (74),the fifth flow port (75), and the sixth flow port (76) are opened, andthe first flow port (71), the second flow port (72), the seventh flowport (77), and the eighth flow port (78) are closed. The refrigerantcircuit (11) enters the state shown in FIG. 5(B), in which the firstadsorption heat exchanger (14) functions as a condenser, and the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first air that entered the room air inletpassage (52) through the room air inlet port (32) sequentially flowsthrough the room air filter (37), the second communication port (62),the second intermediate passage (56), and the third flow port (73) toenter the first humidity adjustment chamber (65), and passes through thefirst adsorption heat exchanger (14). In the first adsorption heatexchanger (14), moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent heated by therefrigerant, and the desorbed moisture is given to the first air. Thefirst air humidified by the first adsorption heat exchanger (14)sequentially flows through the fourth flow port (74), the fourthintermediate passage (58), the fourth communication port (64), and theinward supply passage (54), and enters the temperature adjustment unit(8) through the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) and thetemperature adjustment supply port (34 b).

The second air that entered the outside air inlet passage (51) throughthe outside air inlet port (31) sequentially flows through the outsideair filter (36), the first communication port (61), the firstintermediate passage (55), and the fifth flow port (75) to enter thesecond humidity adjustment chamber (66), and passes through the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15). In the second adsorption heat exchanger(15), moisture in the second air is adsorbed by the adsorbent, and heatgenerated by the adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. The secondair that gave the moisture to the adsorbent of the second adsorptionheat exchanger (15) sequentially flows through the sixth flow port (76),the third intermediate passage (57), the third communication port (63),and the outward discharge passage (53), enters the duct through theoutward discharge port (33), and is discharged outside the room.

In the second operation of the humidification/circulation operation, asshown in FIG. 10, the first flow port (71), the second flow port (72),the seventh flow port (77), and the eighth flow port (78) are opened,and the third flow port (73), the fourth flow port (74), the fifth flowport (75), and the sixth flow port (76) are closed. The refrigerantcircuit (11) enters the state shown in FIG. 5(A), in which the secondadsorption heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser, and the firstadsorption heat exchanger (14) functions as an evaporator.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first air that entered the room air inletpassage (52) through the room air inlet port (32) sequentially flowsthrough the room air filter (37), the second communication port (62),the second intermediate passage (56), and the seventh flow port (77) toenter the second humidity adjustment chamber (66), and passes throughthe second adsorption heat exchanger (15). In the second adsorption heatexchanger (15), moisture is desorbed from the adsorbent heated by therefrigerant, and the desorbed moisture is given to the first air. Thefirst air humidified by the second adsorption heat exchanger (15)sequentially flows through the eighth flow port (78), the fourthintermediate passage (58), the fourth communication port (64), and theinward supply passage (54), and enters the temperature adjustment unit(8) through the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) and thetemperature adjustment supply port (34 b).

The second air that entered the outside air inlet passage (51) throughthe outside air inlet port (31) sequentially flows through the outsideair filter (36), the first communication port (61), the firstintermediate passage (55), and the first flow port (71) to enter thefirst humidity adjustment chamber (65), and passes through the firstadsorption heat exchanger (14). In the first adsorption heat exchanger(14), moisture in the second air is adsorbed by the adsorbent, and heatgenerated by the adsorption is absorbed by the refrigerant. The secondair that gave the moisture to the adsorbent of the first adsorption heatexchanger (14) sequentially flows through the second flow port (72), thethird intermediate passage (57), the third communication port (63), andthe outward discharge passage (53), enters the duct through the outwarddischarge port (33), and is discharged outside the room.

<Cooling and Heating Operation>

The first air dehumidified or humidified by the humidity adjustment unit(2) is temperature-adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit (8). Theair conditioner (1) of the present embodiment performsheating/humidification operation and cooling/dehumidification operation.The air conditioner (1) may be configured to performcooling/humidification operation and heating/humidification operation.

In the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve (93) of therefrigerant circuit (91) is set to the first state as shown in FIG.6(A). In this state, in the refrigerant circuit (91), the refrigerantdischarged from the temperature adjustment compressor (92) sequentiallycirculates through the outdoor heat exchanger (95), the motor-operatedexpansion valve (98), and the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94)to perform a refrigeration cycle. In this case, in the refrigerantcircuit (91), the outdoor heat exchanger (95) functions as a condenser,and the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) functions as anevaporator.

Specifically, the first air that entered the temperature adjustmentcasing (80) is cooled as it passes through the temperature adjustmentheat exchanger (94), and the cooled first air enters the duct throughthe inward supply port (89), and is supplied to the inside of the room.

In the heating operation, the four-way switching valve (93) of therefrigerant circuit (91) is set to the second state as shown in FIG.6(B). In this state, in the refrigerant circuit (91), the refrigerantdischarged from the temperature adjustment compressor (92) sequentiallycirculates through the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94), themotor-operated expansion valve (98), and the outdoor heat exchanger (95)to perform a refrigeration cycle. In this case, in the refrigerantcircuit (91), the outdoor heat exchanger (95) functions as anevaporator, and the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) functionsas a condenser.

Specifically, the first air that entered the temperature adjustmentcasing (80) is heated as it passes through the temperature adjustmentheat exchanger (94), and the heated first air enters the duct throughthe inward supply port (89), and is supplied to the inside of the room.

In this way, the air conditioner (1) adjusts the humidity and thetemperature of the air by combining three operations of dehumidificationor humidification, ventilation or circulation, and cooling or heating.That is, when the air conditioner (1) selects any one of the operations,the first air is dehumidified or humidified, and is cooled or heated tobe supplied to the inside of the room, while passing through orcirculating in the inside of the room.

In the air conditioner (1) configured as described above, the electricalcomponent unit (19) and the temperature adjustment compressor (12) ofthe humidity adjustment unit (2) are arranged in the temperatureadjustment casing (80) of the temperature adjustment unit (8). Theelectrical component unit (19) contains an inverter circuit for drivingthe temperature adjustment compressor (12), etc., and a radiator fin (19a) for dissipating heat generated in the electrical component unit (19).The radiator fin (19 a) constitutes a radiator.

As described above, the humidity adjustment unit (2) includes a largenumber of components, such as the passages (51-58) through which the airflows, the dampers (D1-D8), the heat exchangers (14, 15), the filters(36, 37), etc. Therefore, the humidity adjustment unit (2) tends toincrease in size. By contrast, the air flow passages in the temperatureadjustment unit (8) are simpler than those in the humidity adjustmentunit (2). Further, key components contained in the humidity adjustmentcasing (20) are only the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) andthe supply fan (90). Thus, the number of the key components is small.

Specifically, the electrical component unit (19) and the temperatureadjustment compressor (12) of the humidity adjustment unit (2) arearranged in the temperature adjustment casing (80) having a relativelylarge empty space. This can alleviate size increase of the temperatureadjustment unit (8), and can downsize the humidity adjustment unit (2)as much as possible. Therefore, the whole size of the air conditioner(1) can be downsized.

In general, the flow rate of air in the temperature adjustment unit (8)is higher than that in the humidity adjustment unit (2) (in particular,in the present embodiment, the temperature adjustment unit (8) admitstherein the room air through the temperature adjustment room air inletport (88), in addition to the humidity-adjusted air from the humidityadjustment unit (2)). Thus, the arrangement of the electrical componentunit (19) in the air flow passage in the temperature adjustment casing(80) can improve efficiency of heat dissipation. Therefore, with theelectrical component unit (19) arranged in the air flow passage in thetemperature adjustment casing (80), the dimension of the radiator fin(19 a) required for a unit heat value can be reduced, thereby downsizingthe electrical component unit (19). That is, the arrangement of theelectrical component unit (19) in the temperature adjustment casing (80)can reduce space for installation of the electrical component unit (19)as compared with the case where the electrical component unit (19) isarranged in the humidity adjustment casing (20). This can downsize thewhole size of the air conditioner (1).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the humidity adjustment unit(2) can further be downsized by arranging the temperature adjustmentcompressor (12) in the temperature adjustment casing (80).

[Second Embodiment of the Invention]

An air conditioner (201) of a second embodiment of the invention will bedescribed below. The air conditioner (201) of the second embodiment isdifferent from that of the first embodiment in that the air conditioner(201) of the second embodiment includes a refrigerant circuit (211)shared between the humidity adjustment unit (2) and the temperatureadjustment unit (8), whereas the air conditioner of the first embodimentincludes the separate refrigerant circuits (11, 91) for the humidityadjustment unit (2) and the temperature adjustment unit (8). In thefollowing description, components similar to those of the firstembodiment are designated by the same reference characters, and thedifference between the first and second embodiments will be describedbelow.

Like the first embodiment, the air conditioner (201) includes a humidityadjustment unit (202), a temperature adjustment unit (208), and anoutdoor unit (209).

The outdoor unit (209) contains an outdoor circuit (291 a). The outdoorcircuit (291 a) includes a compressor (292), an outdoor motor-operatedexpansion valve (298), an outdoor four-way switching valve (293), anoutdoor heat exchanger (295) as a heat source heat exchanger, and fourstop valves (221-224). Although not shown, the outdoor unit (209)contains an outdoor fan. The outdoor fan supplies outside air to theoutdoor heat exchanger (295).

In the outdoor circuit (291 a), a discharge side of the compressor (292)is connected to a first port of the outdoor four-way switching valve(293), and a suction side of the compressor (292) is connected to asecond port of the outdoor four-way switching valve (293). A fourth portof the outdoor four-way switching valve (293) is connected to a secondstop valve (222). An end of the outdoor heat exchanger (295) isconnected to a third port of the outdoor four-way switching valve (293),and the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger (295) is connected to afirst stop valve (221) through the outdoor motor-operated expansionvalve (298). A third stop valve (223) is connected between the dischargeside of the compressor (292) and the outdoor four-way switching valve(293). A fourth stop valve (224) is connected between the suction sideof the compressor (292) and the outdoor four-way switching valve (293).

The outdoor four-way switching valve (293) is configured to be able toswitch between a first state where the first and third ports communicatewith each other, and the second and fourth ports communicate with eachother (a state shown in FIG. 11), and a second state where the first andfourth ports communicate with each other, and the second and third portscommunicate with each other (a state shown in FIG. 12).

The temperature adjustment unit (208) contains a temperature adjustmentcircuit (291 b). The temperature adjustment circuit (291 b) includes asingle temperature adjustment heat exchanger (294) as a utilization heatexchanger. An end of the temperature adjustment circuit (291 b) isconnected to the first stop valve (221) of the outdoor circuit (291 a),and the other end is connected to the second stop valve (222) of theoutdoor circuit (291 a). Although not shown, the temperature adjustmentunit (208) contains an indoor fan. The indoor fan supplies room air tothe temperature adjustment heat exchanger (294).

The humidity adjustment unit (202) contains a humidity adjustmentcircuit (291 c). The humidity adjustment circuit (291 c) includes ahumidity adjustment motor-operated expansion valve (218), a humidityadjustment four-way switching valve (213), and two adsorption heatexchangers (214, 215).

In the humidity adjustment circuit (291 c), a first adsorption heatexchanger (214), the humidity adjustment motor-operated expansion valve(218), and a second adsorption heat exchanger (215) are sequentiallyarranged between the third port and the fourth port of the humidityadjustment four-way switching valve (213). A first port of the humidityadjustment four-way switching valve (213) is connected to the third stopvalve (223) of the outdoor circuit (291 a), and a second port isconnected to the fourth stop valve (224) of the outdoor circuit (291 a).

The humidity adjustment four-way switching valve (213) is configured tobe able to switch between a first state where the first and third portscommunicate with each other, and the second and fourth ports communicatewith each other (a state shown in FIGS. 11(A) and 12(A)), and a secondstate where the first and fourth ports communicate with each other, andthe second and third ports communicate with each other (a state shown inFIGS. 11(B) and 12(B)).

In the air conditioner (201) configured in this manner, the humidityadjustment four-way switching valve (213) and the outdoor four-wayswitching valve (293) are controlled, respectively, while circulatingthe refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (291) by the singlecompressor (292), thereby performing switching of the operation statesof the two heat exchangers (214, 215) of the humidity adjustment unit(202) (adsorption and desorption of moisture), and switching of thecooling and heating operations of the temperature adjustment unit (208).

<Cooling/Dehumidification Operation>

Specifically, in the cooling/dehumidification operation, the outdoorfour-way switching valve (293) is set to the first state, and the degreeof opening of the outdoor motor-operated expansion valve (298) issuitably adjusted. In this state, in the refrigerant circuit (291), theoutdoor heat exchanger (295) functions as a condenser, and thetemperature adjustment heat exchanger (294) functions as an evaporator.Then, the air which absorbed heat from the refrigerant in the outdoorheat exchanger (295) is discharged outside the room, and the air cooledby the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (294) is supplied to theinside of the room.

By controlling the humidity adjustment four-way switching valve (213),the humidity adjustment unit (202) alternately performs operation inwhich the first adsorption heat exchanger (214) and the secondadsorption heat exchanger (215) in the humidity adjustment circuit (291c) function as the condenser and the evaporator, respectively, andoperation in which the second adsorption heat exchanger (215) and thefirst adsorption heat exchanger (214) in the humidity adjustment circuit(291 c) function as the condenser and the evaporator, respectively. Incombination with this, the humidity adjustment unit (202) adjusts thedampers (D1-D8), thereby performing any one ofdehumidification/ventilation operation of passing the outside airthrough the adsorption heat exchanger serving as the evaporator tosupply the outside air to the inside of the room, and passing the roomair through the adsorption heat exchanger serving as the condenser todischarge the room air outside the room, anddehumidification/circulation operation of passing the room air throughthe adsorption heat exchanger serving as the evaporator to supply theroom air to the inside of the room, and passing the outside air throughthe adsorption heat exchanger serving as the condenser to discharge theoutside air outside the room.

<Heating/Humidification Operation>

In the heating/humidification operation, the outdoor four-way switchingvalve (293) is set to the second state, and the degree of opening of theoutdoor motor-operated expansion valve (298) is suitably adjusted. Inthis state, in the refrigerant circuit (291), the temperature adjustmentheat exchanger (294) functions as the condenser, and the outdoor heatexchanger (295) functions as the evaporator. Then, the air thatdissipated heat to the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger (295)is discharged outside the room, and the air heated by the temperatureadjustment heat exchanger (294) is supplied to the inside of the room.

By controlling the humidity adjustment four-way switching valve (213),the humidity adjustment unit (202) alternately performs operation inwhich the first adsorption heat exchanger (214) and the secondadsorption heat exchanger (215) in the humidity adjustment circuit (291c) function as the condenser and the evaporator, respectively, andoperation in which the second adsorption heat exchanger (215) and thefirst adsorption heat exchanger (214) in the humidity adjustment circuit(291 c) function as the condenser and the evaporator, respectively. Incombination with this, the humidity adjustment unit (202) adjusts thedampers (D1-D8), thereby performing any one ofhumidification/ventilation operation of passing the outside air throughthe adsorption heat exchanger serving as the condenser to supply theoutside air to the inside of the room, and passing the room air throughthe adsorption heat exchanger serving as the evaporator to discharge theroom air outside the room, and humidification/circulation operation ofpassing the room air through the adsorption heat exchanger serving asthe condenser to supply the room air to the inside of the room, andpassing the outside air through the adsorption heat exchanger serving asthe evaporator to discharge the outside air outside the room.

As described above, even in the case where the first and secondadsorption heat exchangers (214, 215) of the humidity adjustment unit(202), and the temperature adjustment heat exchanger and the outdoorheat exchanger (294, 295) of the temperature adjustment unit (208) areconnected to the single refrigerant circuit (291) including the singlecompressor (292), the cooling dehumidification/ventilation operation,the cooling dehumidification/circulation operation, the heatinghumidification/ventilation operation, and the heatinghumidification/circulation operation can selectively be performed bycontrolling the humidity adjustment four-way switching valve (213), theoutdoor four-way switching valve (293), and the dampers (D1-D8),respectively.

The compressor (292) of the outdoor unit (209) connected to thetemperature adjustment circuit (291 b) is also utilized as the humidityadjustment circuit (291 c). This eliminates the need to provide thecompressors in the humidity adjustment casing (20) and the temperatureadjustment casing (80), respectively. Therefore, the humidity adjustmentunit (202) and the temperature adjustment unit (208) can be downsized,thereby downsizing the whole size of the air conditioner (201).

[Other Embodiments]

The above-described embodiments may be modified in the following mannerSpecifically, in the above-described embodiments, the humidityadjustment unit (2) is capable of selectively performing thedehumidification/ventilation operation, the humidification/ventilationoperation, the dehumidification/circulation operation, and thehumidification/circulation operation. However, the humidity adjustmentunit is not limited thereto. Any humidity adjustment unit can beemployed as long as it can adjust the humidity of the air.

In the above-described embodiments, the air which is humidity-adjustedby the humidity adjustment unit (2) is admitted in the temperatureadjustment unit (8) upstream of the temperature adjustment heatexchanger (94), thereby adjusting the temperature of thehumidity-adjusted air. However, the humidity and temperature adjustmentis not limited thereto. For example, the air that has beenhumidity-adjusted by the humidity adjustment unit (2) may be introducedto the downstream of the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) tomerge with the air introduced through the temperature adjustment roomair inlet port (88), and has been temperature-adjusted by thetemperature adjustment heat exchanger (94), and the merged air may besupplied to the inside of the room through the inward supply port (89).

For merging the humidity-adjusted air and the temperature-adjusted air,the humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) and the temperatureadjustment supply port (34 b) may be provided below the temperatureadjustment heat exchanger (94) in FIG. 2, or the position of thetemperature adjustment room air inlet port (88) and the position of theinward supply port (89) may be replaced in FIG. 2.

In the latter case, as shown in FIG. 11, space below the temperatureadjustment heat exchanger (94) is upstream space containing the airwhich is not temperature-adjusted yet, and space above the temperatureadjustment heat exchanger (94) is downstream space containing thetemperature-adjusted air. The humidity adjustment supply port (34 a) andthe temperature adjustment supply port (34 b) are provided in thedownstream space downstream of the temperature adjustment heat exchanger(94). In this case, the electrical component unit (19) is positioned inthe upstream space upstream of the temperature adjustment heat exchanger(94). Therefore, even when the temperature adjustment unit (8) performsthe heating operation, the electrical component unit (19) can be cooledby the air which is not heated yet, thereby allowing for efficientcooling.

The above-described embodiments have been set forth merely for thepurposes of preferred examples in nature, and are not intended to limitthe scope, applications, and use of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present invention is useful for an airconditioner including a humidity adjustment unit for adjusting airhumidity, and a temperature adjustment unit for adjusting airtemperature.

1. An air conditioner comprising: a humidity adjustment unit (2) foradjusting air humidity, and a temperature adjustment unit (8) foradjusting air temperature, wherein the humidity adjustment unit (2)includes a humidity adjustment casing (20), a humidity adjustmentsection (11) for adjusting humidity of air in the humidity adjustmentcasing (20), and a humidity adjustment electrical component unit (19),the temperature adjustment unit (8) includes a temperature adjustmentcasing (80) aligned with the humidity adjustment casing (20), and atemperature adjustment section (91) which is contained in thetemperature adjustment casing (80) to adjust temperature of air, and thehumidity adjustment electrical component unit (19) includes a radiator(19 a) which dissipates generated heat, and is arranged in an air flowpassage in the temperature adjustment casing (80).
 2. The airconditioner of claim 1, wherein the temperature adjustment section (91)includes a temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) for adjusting thetemperature of the air flowing in the air flow passage in thetemperature adjustment casing (80), and the humidity adjustmentelectrical component unit (19) is arranged upstream of the temperatureadjustment heat exchanger (94).
 3. The air conditioner of claim 2,wherein the temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) is obliquelyarranged in the air flow passage in the temperature adjustment casing(80).
 4. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the humidity adjustmentsection includes a refrigerant circuit (11) performing a refrigerationcycle, and connecting an adsorption heat exchanger (14, 15) whichcarries an adsorbent for adsorbing and desorbing moisture on a surfacethereof, and a temperature adjustment compressor (12) which compresses arefrigerant, and the temperature adjustment compressor (12) is arrangedin the temperature adjustment casing (80).
 5. The air conditioner ofclaim 1, wherein the temperature adjustment section includes arefrigerant circuit (91) performing a refrigeration cycle, andconnecting a temperature adjustment heat exchanger (94) which adjuststhe temperature of the air flowing in the air flow passage in thetemperature adjustment casing (80), and a compressor (92) which isarranged in an outdoor unit, and compresses a refrigerant, the humidityadjustment section (11) includes an adsorption heat exchanger (14, 15)which carries an adsorbent for adsorbing and desorbing moisture on asurface thereof, and the adsorption heat exchanger (14, 15) is connectedto the refrigerant circuit (91).
 6. The air conditioner of claim 1,wherein the humidity adjustment unit (2) and the temperature adjustmentunit (8) are separately constructed, and are integrally assembled inassembly of the air conditioner.